Bangladesh women鈥檚 team lost to their Irish counterparts by 47 runs in the second of their three-match T20I series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The victory meant Ireland took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. They won the first match by 12 runs.
Electing to bat first, Ireland racked up 134-5 before bowling out Bangladesh for just 87 in 17.1 overs with Irish pacer Orla Prendergast taking 3-13. This was Bangladesh鈥檚 lowest total against Ireland.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty rued her team鈥檚 batting performance though she was content with the bowlers鈥� efforts.
鈥榃e bowled better today. Sobhana and Dilara batted really well in the previous match, it was unfortunate they couldn鈥檛 bat well today,鈥� said Joty after the match.聽
Bangladesh batters had shown promise in the first match, but they failed to carry that momentum, as openers Dilara Akter (10) and Sobhana Mostary (1) were both dismissed by Prendergast in her first two overs.
Joty (six) also had a brief stay, getting castled by Arlene Kelly and Alana Dalzell snapped Taj Nehar (two) to leave Bangladesh crawling at 22-4 inside the powerplay.
Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter then tried to revive their innings with a cautious stand of 48 runs for the fifth wicket until Laura Delany (2-16) broke through in the 13th over.
Shorna had to depart for 20 and Sharmin scored team鈥檚 highest 38 off 43 balls aided by one boundary.聽
Followed that, Bangladesh ended up losing six of their batters for 17 runs.
Joty credited the Irish bowlers for executing their plans well in a sporting Sylhet wicket and lauded batter Sharmin for her mettle.
鈥楽harmin batted really well, but we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The credit goes to Irish team , they bowled according to the plans,鈥� said Joty.
Earlier, Bangladesh women鈥檚 restricted Ireland to 134-5, led by left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, who finished with 2-20 in her four overs.聽
Jahanara Alam, Jannatul Ferdous, and Fahima Khatun each took a wicket.
Delany was the top scorer for Ireland with 35 runs, while Prendergast added 32.聽
The Irish started cautiously with an opening partnership of 34 runs from 35 balls. Then Nahida鈥檚 pivotal wicket of skipper Gaby Lewis (14) came in the final delivery of the powerplay, breaking the partnership.聽
Followed that, Ireland lost wickets at regular wickets and ultimately finished with what appeared to be a below-par total.
The third and final T20I will be held at the same venue on Monday.
